Nested-flat-cup dispenser



Nov. 2 19126. A 1,605,496

` c. BARBIERI Y( v NESTED FLAT CUP DISPENSER Filed sept. 26, -1924 2 sheets-sheet 1 LEM A X5 Nav.` 2, 1926.'

Filed Sept. 26. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 2, 1926,

UNITED STATES CESARE BARBIERI, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.,

ASSIGNOR T0 rTHE VORTEX MFG. CO., OF

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

Application led September 26, 1924.-. Serial No. 739,979.

This invention relates to a paper cup dispenser and more particularly to adispenser wherein flat superimposed nested cups are deposited on a spring impelled support within a container with the apex of the uppermost cup projecting through a slotted cover to permit ready access (to the apex of the cup whereby the uppermost cup may be easily withdrawn from the container through the slotted cover.'A K

It is an object of this invention to provide a dispenser wherein superimposed nested cups are automatically fed upwardly 1n a container each time a cup is withdrawn.

It is also an object of this invention toprovide a container wherein flat nested cups are deposited within a container upon a spring impelled movable support which acts to hold the top of the uppermost cup projected into a position wherein the same may be readily grasped by the lingers of an operator and withdrawn from the container.

llt is a further object of this invention to provide a dispenser wherein a spring supported holder is adapted to automatically feed nested fiat cups upwardly between suit-A able guides into a slotted cover from which the cups may be withdrawn one at a time.

It is an important object of this invention to provide an improved flat cup dispenser of simple and inexpensive construction adapted to automatically feed flat nested cups into a position within a cover from .which the cups may be manually extracted as desired.

Other and further importantobjects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the specification and the accompanying drawings.

` rIhis invention in a preferred form) is illustrated in the rawings and hereinafter more fully described.

On the drawings: s Figure 1 is a front elevation of a nested flat cup dispenser embodying the principles of this invention. Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the dispenser taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2 with parts shown in elevation.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the dispenser.

Figure 5 is an interior view ofthe dispenser cover.

Figure 6 is an enlarged top plan view of the dispenser with the cover in open position and broken away and further illustrating a stack of cups within the container.

Figure" 7 is a top plan view of the dispenser with the cover removed illustrating `the cup support in position ready to receive a stack of nested cups. s

Figure 8 is a fragmentary` detail section taken on the line 8-8 of Figure l with the supporting spring omitted.

I `As shown on the drawings:

The reference numeral 1 indicatesa cntainer vof elliptical cross section having flat side walls and convex front and rear walls. Secured or integrally formed on the upper end of the container rear wall is a stop plate 2. rllhe side walls of the container. extend rearwardly to form side plates 3 the rear margins of which are bent outwardly atan angle to form mountingV flanges d which may be apertured or slotted to permit the container to be mounted ona wall or other support. Fivotally mounted by means of a hinge 5 on the upper end of one of .the flat side walls of the container l is a cover 6 in.

the shape of the frustrum of an elliptical cone. The cover 6 is provided with a cup discharge or outlet slot 'l' the middle of said slot at the upper end of the cover being enlarged to a'ord front and rear notches 8 to permit the fingers of an operator to engage the projecting tip end of a paper cup to remove the cup from the container through the slotted cover.

A stack of flat nested cups 9 is adapted to be placed within the container when the cover is open. rlhe cups9 are positioned with the tips thereof directed upwardly with the lowermost cup seating upon an elliptical holder or form l0 which is pivotally mounted upon the upper end of a piston or plunger 11. 'llhe plunger 11 is slidably' mounted within the container 1 and is shaped-to conform to the contour of the interior of said container. The plunger 11 is resiliently supported on the upper end of a spiral strap or band spring12 as illustrated in Figure 3. rlhe lower end of the sprin 12 rests upon a plate 13 which is .mounte within the container l upon the container base or bottom 14. The stack of cups 9 within the container is positioned to pass between a pair of notched guides 15 which are mounted within the container near the upper ends of the container side walls. The 110 til) cover 6 is adapted to be heldtin closed po-ll sition upon the top of the container. 1 by means of a lock 16 or otherv suitable means.

Mounted within the cover 6 on opposite sides of the ends of the slot 7.are felt pads 17 as illustrated in Fi ure 5.

The operation is as ollows: The dispenser is adapted to be mounted on a wall or support by securing the mountasy ing flanges 4 upon the wall by means of screws or other suitable means. If desired the dispenser may be positioned to stand upon a desk or other support. By removing the lock 16 the cover 6 may be swung into open position. When the container is open the spring 12 acting upwardly on the plunger -11 pushes the elliptical holder 10 into its upper position with the ends of said holder engaged against the stops or.

inserted through the upper end of the open container with the lowermost cup seated upon the elliptical holder 10. The stack of cups is then pushed downwardly to com press the spring '12 and is slightly rotated tol permit the edges of the uppermost cup to engage in the notches provided in the guides or stops 15 as, illustrated in Figures 3 and 6. The cover 6 is now closed andl locked in position .with the top of the uppermost cup projecting through the notched middle portion of the slot 7 as illustrated in Figure 1.

To extract a cup from the container the 'thumb and foreinger of an operator are placed onopposite sides of the tip of the projectingcup and the cup is pulled outwardly through the cover slot 7. As the cup ispulled upwardly the creased portion of the cup passes through the notches of the guide members 15 which serve to compress the cupto cause the sides thereof to bulge outwardly away from the cup immediatelyl therebelow. The cup is then easily pulledy through the slot in the cover 6. As soon.

as the open lower end of the cup passes through the cover slot the extracted cup springs into a partially open position ready to be inverted Aand filled. l

When a cup is extracted from the upper end of the closed container the spring 12 acts4 automatically to push the remaining staclr of cups upwardl to position the next cup 1n place ready to e grasped by the fingers of a person desiring to use the next cup. The cups are thus automatically fed upwardly in the container by means of the spring 12 each time a cup is withdrawn `through the slotted cover.

' lI am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon, otherwise than necessitated by vthe prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A nested Hat cup dispenser 'of the class described, comprising a container, means thereon for mounting the same, a cover on said container having a slot and notches therein, notched cup guides within said container, a cup holder adapted to support a'stack of dat nested oups in inverted position, and spring means supporting said holder and adapted to resiliently support the stack of cups so that the tip of the uppermost cup is projected through the cover slot between the cover notches ready to be withdrawn from the container.

2. In a fiat nested cup dispenser ot the class described the combination with a container ofysubstantially elliptical cross section, of a' slotted elliptical conical cover pivotally mounted on said container, means for removably locking the cover in closed position, and a spring impelled holder slidably mounted within the container adapted to support a stack of fiat nested cups in position with the tip of the uppermost cup projecting through the slotted cover.

'3. In a fiat nested cup dispenser of the class described the combination of an elliptical container, of an elliptical rustrum,

shaped coverl movably mounted on said container, said cover having a slot and notches therein, oppositely disposed notched guides supported within said container, a plunger slidably mounted within said container, a cup holder pivotally mounted on said plunger, and a spring supported within the container below the plunger to support the plunger .and feed said holder upwardlythrough the container to feed a stack of cups between said notched guide members into said slotted cover' for removal from the container one at a time.

In testilnony whereof I have "hereunto subscribed my name.

. CESARE BARBIERI. 

